Volunteer at the TRC!

Volunteer Housing Counseling

The majority of our volunteers are housing counselors who work directly with individual clients, helping them resolve rental housing issues.

We'll tell you right away: This is some of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer work out there. You will be the primary contact someone has with TRC when they need real solutions for real problems. As a housing counselor, you will learn to guide them through difficult situations with clear information and practical action steps, promoting housing justice one person at a time. We provide extensive training and support, and no legal background is required!TRC is seeking committed, passionate people who can volunteer for 3-6 hours/week for a minimum of one year. We will train you on tenant landlord law and provide lots of support as you assist clients in our main office. Shifts are available between 9am - 6pm, Monday - Friday, and we are flexible for changes in your schedule for semester breaks, etc.

You might explain the eviction process to a single mom so she understands how to reply to a 5-day notice and avoid a court hearing, or you might help a college student with a sample letter for getting back their very first security deposit, or tell an elderly couple the steps they can take to get the landlord to fix their heat.

This work really makes a difference!

Volunteer Training

Housing counselor training begins by taking our class on federal, state, and local tenant landlord laws, which also includes local referrals and practical solutions to common housing problems. The training is 12 hours long, split between two days, both of which are required. After this, you will shadow with experienced housing counselors in our office before working with people on your own.

The next training will be sometime in late spring 2016. For questions or to get on the list for announcements, contact Anders (anders@tenantresourcecenter.org).

For general information about the housing counseling program, click here.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to help Tenant Resource Center continue to provide free services to the community. Please call TRC at (608) 257-0006 x5 if you are interested in the opportunities listed below.

Mediation: Our housing mediators are all professionally trained before they start as volunteers. Mediators act as a neutral third party to help two or more parties in a dispute work out a mutually satisfying solution. For more information about the mediation program, click here.

Board of Directors: Bring your unique perspective and expertise to our Board of Directors. To see the current list of the Board of Directors, click here.

Office Support / Volunteer Receptionist: TRC has occasional opportunities for people who wish to offer clerical support in a fun office environment. The volunteer receptionist helps us keep up with the phones and provides clerical support with bulk mailings and copying brochures and other materials.

Why volunteer?

Tenant Resource Center relies on volunteers who come from different backgrounds and who volunteer for many different reasons.

No part of this website should be regarded as legal advice, or replace an individual's responsibility to be familiar with the law. If you need legal assistance or representation, consult a Wisconsin housing attorney.